Philadelphia, PA — On August 20, dozens of members from various community organizations gathered outside City Hall to hold a vigil demanding the release of Catalina “Xóchitl” Santiago, a 28-year-old DACA recipient detained earlier this month in El Paso, Texas.
Santiago, born in Mexico and protected under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, is currently being held at the El Paso Service Processing Center operated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The facility has faced scrutiny over alleged human rights violations.
Speakers at the vigil included Evan Feldberg-Bannatyne, Frangi Pozo, and Li, who shared personal stories about Santiago’s activism in New Jersey, Philadelphia, and across the country. Known for her tireless advocacy for immigrant rights, Santiago began working in agriculture at the age of seven and has long fought for the rights of immigrants, especially women and children.
Pozo read a poem written by Santiago from inside the detention center, describing the harsh conditions: foul-smelling water that detainees are forced to drink, mockery from staff directed at immigrants and queer individuals, and pregnant women suffering from dehydration without medical care.
Li read a statement from Santiago’s attorney, Norma Islas, which emphasized that Santiago’s DACA status remains valid and she has not been convicted of any disqualifying offense. “Despite repeated false claims by the Department of Homeland Security to the public, media, and members of Congress about pending criminal charges, none exist,” the statement read.
Karla Rojas, a fellow DACA recipient and organizer of the Philadelphia vigil, expressed concern over the implications of Santiago’s detention. “It’s scary because with DACA, you’re supposed to be protected from deportation or detention. This didn’t just happen to her—it’s happened to other DACA recipients too. We’re no longer protected like we used to be,” Rojas said.
Protests and vigils continue in El Paso, Texas, and are planned in other cities, including one scheduled for Sunday, August 24, in Boston, Massachusetts.